Player Championships finals; Doncaster Preview
by Krispy of www.pdc-darts.co.uk - Darts, Beers & Cheers!
Colin Osborne will be looking to continue his recent better form
The next major darts competition kicks off Thursday evening – this time it’s the “Player Championships finals” – last year won by my friend Paul Nicholson, who of course will not be able to defend his title, very narrowly missing out during the qualification process. It’s possibly the longest qualification of any event – with every one of the player champ pro tour events at the weekend counting towards appearing in the finals. After a long battle in places like Crawley, Wigan, Derby, and Barnsley, the top 32 dart pros on the ‘floor’ have been decided.
The battles starts Thursday night – in the Doncaster Dome. If you’ve got tickets, doors open 6pm – the event starts at 7pm, and is streamed live on PDC.tv (requires subscription – if you’re not a member it will cost you £6.99 for the min months subs). It is a shame this won’t be on TV, but it’s just one of those things, I know the PDC were working hard to try and find a broadcaster to take the competition. Click here to visit the PDCtv Subscription page
Schedule of Play
Thursday February 3 – 7pm-11pm
First Round
Denis Ovens v Colin Osborne
Andy Hamilton v Dennis Priestley
Mark Walsh v Steve Farmer
Jamie Caven v Barrie Bates
Ronnie Baxter v Andy Smith
Wayne Jones v Kevin Painter
Gary Anderson v Justin Pipe
Colin Lloyd v Jelle Klaasen
Tickets £20 – or Half-price tickets for Thursday February 3 are available for NUS Card Holders. Call 01302 370777 or in person at The Dome’s Box Office.
Denis Ovens v Colin Osborne
First up The Heat vs. Ozzy (no longer the Wizard remember). 12 months ago I’d probably call this game for Denis, as Colin was suffering with some bad form in the first 6 months of 2010, and Denis seems to have improved on the stage in front of the big crowds. BUT Colin’s class has started to shine through once again, and he’s getting his game back to 100%. Therefore.. I think it’s going to be close, but I fancy that Osborne will continue his return to form and take this one.
Andy Hamilton v Dennis Priestley
Justin Pipe will be looking to defeat his practice partner, and world champ runner up, Gary Anderson
The Hammer hasn’t really been himself of late – his big scoring style has been mis-firing (although he’s still a 9 dart specialist, with a couple hit on the floor in 2010 I believe). Dennis is… well a legend, and he was playing really well at the worlds, his game vs. Anderson was stuff of stories. So unless Andy can turn around his form with a new year, I can’t see anything but a win for the Menace.
Mark Walsh v Steve Farmer
Steve Farmer have been one of those players who have really impressed since joining the PDC a year ago. He’s yet to make a big impact on TV, but he’s had some great results on the floor. Mark Walsh has been one of the top floor players in the last few years, his consistency is so strong you nearly always see him 1/4 finals or better week in week out. He may look scary, but when I’ve seen him off the oche he always seems to have a sense of humour and is quite laid back. Anyway – I think Mark’s experience at the big tournament will see him through, but this could be a ‘surprise’ result for many who haven’t heard of Farmer.
Jamie Caven v Barrie Bates
A battle between two Unicorn darts sponsored contenders, both characters of the sport. Barry had a great end of 2010… Jabba hasn’t quite yet had the run in a big tournament that his talent should see him doing. I think this should be quite a fun game, both players like to have a bit of fun in their games – if Jabba can find his top form I think he should edge it, but he’s not been finding that recently… so this is probably going to the wire.
Ronnie Baxter v Andy Smith
The Rocket will be flying high in this tournament, after his win on the floor at the weekend. He must be full of confidence, and feeling like this tournament couldn’t be timed better. The Pieman seemed to have got over his injured leg, and has had some great performances recently. Should be a good battle this one – but I think Ronnie may edge it.
Wayne Jones v Kevin Painter
I really enjoy watching The Artist in full flow, snarling as he hits 180′s. But unfortunately we’ve not seen that for a while – again Kevin is a player who isn’t reaching the form he knows he can. Jones on the other hand has been putting in some cracking performances on the big stages, he really impressed at home in the Grand Slam of Darts. I hope Painter gives us a real show, but at the moment I think this will be a win for Wayne.
Gary Anderson v Justin Pipe
Well I’m actually at Doncaster watching the darts live and enjoying life in the players lounge because of Justin Pipe, who has become a good friend in the last year. So I’ll be stressing during this game, haha! I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad thing, that his opponent is his good friend and practice partner (and world champ runner up!) Gary Anderson. Gary’s form needs no introduction – while Justin has yet to show the fans how he can perform in a big stage tournament. Maybe the fact this event isn’t on TV may help JP, although it’s still going to be a fairly big noisy crowd, with the action filmed and shown live. Many will have Gary as an easy winner, but I’m sure Gary isn’t looking forward to meeting JP.
Colin Lloyd v Jelle Klaasen
Last game of the night sees Jaws take on the Dutch star Klaasen. I’m sure there won’t be any repeat of the board punching we saw recently. Klaasen can be klass.. but more often than not he mis-fires and disappoints. I’m hoping for a high quality fiery battle to end the night. I think Lloyd will go home the happier though.
Colin Osborne will be looking to continue his recent better form
The next major darts competition kicks off Thursday evening – this time it’s the “Player Championships finals” – last year won by my friend Paul Nicholson, who of course will not be able to defend his title, very narrowly missing out during the qualification process. It’s possibly the longest qualification of any event – with every one of the player champ pro tour events at the weekend counting towards appearing in the finals. After a long battle in places like Crawley, Wigan, Derby, and Barnsley, the top 32 dart pros on the ‘floor’ have been decided.
The battles starts Thursday night – in the Doncaster Dome. If you’ve got tickets, doors open 6pm – the event starts at 7pm, and is streamed live on PDC.tv (requires subscription – if you’re not a member it will cost you £6.99 for the min months subs). It is a shame this won’t be on TV, but it’s just one of those things, I know the PDC were working hard to try and find a broadcaster to take the competition. Click here to visit the PDCtv Subscription page
Schedule of Play
Thursday February 3 – 7pm-11pm
First Round
Denis Ovens v Colin Osborne
Andy Hamilton v Dennis Priestley
Mark Walsh v Steve Farmer
Jamie Caven v Barrie Bates
Ronnie Baxter v Andy Smith
Wayne Jones v Kevin Painter
Gary Anderson v Justin Pipe
Colin Lloyd v Jelle Klaasen
Tickets £20 – or Half-price tickets for Thursday February 3 are available for NUS Card Holders. Call 01302 370777 or in person at The Dome’s Box Office.
Denis Ovens v Colin Osborne
First up The Heat vs. Ozzy (no longer the Wizard remember). 12 months ago I’d probably call this game for Denis, as Colin was suffering with some bad form in the first 6 months of 2010, and Denis seems to have improved on the stage in front of the big crowds. BUT Colin’s class has started to shine through once again, and he’s getting his game back to 100%. Therefore.. I think it’s going to be close, but I fancy that Osborne will continue his return to form and take this one.
Andy Hamilton v Dennis Priestley
Justin Pipe will be looking to defeat his practice partner, and world champ runner up, Gary Anderson
The Hammer hasn’t really been himself of late – his big scoring style has been mis-firing (although he’s still a 9 dart specialist, with a couple hit on the floor in 2010 I believe). Dennis is… well a legend, and he was playing really well at the worlds, his game vs. Anderson was stuff of stories. So unless Andy can turn around his form with a new year, I can’t see anything but a win for the Menace.
Mark Walsh v Steve Farmer
Steve Farmer have been one of those players who have really impressed since joining the PDC a year ago. He’s yet to make a big impact on TV, but he’s had some great results on the floor. Mark Walsh has been one of the top floor players in the last few years, his consistency is so strong you nearly always see him 1/4 finals or better week in week out. He may look scary, but when I’ve seen him off the oche he always seems to have a sense of humour and is quite laid back. Anyway – I think Mark’s experience at the big tournament will see him through, but this could be a ‘surprise’ result for many who haven’t heard of Farmer.
Jamie Caven v Barrie Bates
A battle between two Unicorn darts sponsored contenders, both characters of the sport. Barry had a great end of 2010… Jabba hasn’t quite yet had the run in a big tournament that his talent should see him doing. I think this should be quite a fun game, both players like to have a bit of fun in their games – if Jabba can find his top form I think he should edge it, but he’s not been finding that recently… so this is probably going to the wire.
Ronnie Baxter v Andy Smith
The Rocket will be flying high in this tournament, after his win on the floor at the weekend. He must be full of confidence, and feeling like this tournament couldn’t be timed better. The Pieman seemed to have got over his injured leg, and has had some great performances recently. Should be a good battle this one – but I think Ronnie may edge it.
Wayne Jones v Kevin Painter
I really enjoy watching The Artist in full flow, snarling as he hits 180′s. But unfortunately we’ve not seen that for a while – again Kevin is a player who isn’t reaching the form he knows he can. Jones on the other hand has been putting in some cracking performances on the big stages, he really impressed at home in the Grand Slam of Darts. I hope Painter gives us a real show, but at the moment I think this will be a win for Wayne.
Gary Anderson v Justin Pipe
Well I’m actually at Doncaster watching the darts live and enjoying life in the players lounge because of Justin Pipe, who has become a good friend in the last year. So I’ll be stressing during this game, haha! I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad thing, that his opponent is his good friend and practice partner (and world champ runner up!) Gary Anderson. Gary’s form needs no introduction – while Justin has yet to show the fans how he can perform in a big stage tournament. Maybe the fact this event isn’t on TV may help JP, although it’s still going to be a fairly big noisy crowd, with the action filmed and shown live. Many will have Gary as an easy winner, but I’m sure Gary isn’t looking forward to meeting JP.
Colin Lloyd v Jelle Klaasen
Last game of the night sees Jaws take on the Dutch star Klaasen. I’m sure there won’t be any repeat of the board punching we saw recently. Klaasen can be klass.. but more often than not he mis-fires and disappoints. I’m hoping for a high quality fiery battle to end the night. I think Lloyd will go home the happier though.